Comparing PS3 and PS4 specs: what it means for everyday use

PlayStation 4 is obviously going to be a much more powerful system than its predecessor. But, PS4 will improve upon many other facets of the system beyond just prettier graphics. By looking at Sony's officially released documentation [PDF] on PS4 specifications, we can see some of the more subtle changes coming to Sony's next console.Faster Blu-ray drive
For example, the Blu-ray drive gets a significant boost on PS4. The slow 2x drive found on PS3 proved to be a bottleneck for some games, as its 9MB/sec transfer rate was actually slower than the DVD drive found on Xbox 360. While Blu-ray can store many times more data than DVD, the slower transfer rate meant that developers had to deploy many tricks to compensate. For example, many developers opted to have large HDD installs which led to Capcom's infamous advice to "go make a sandwich and grab a soda, then come on back" during a PS3 game installation. With the 6x drive of PS4, we may never have to sit through lengthy mandatory install screens ever again.USB 3.0
PS4 comes equipped with USB 3.0 ports, which were unavailable when PS3 launched in 2006. The upgrade enables significantly higher transfer speeds (up to 4.8Gbps). A potential benefit could be the ability to reliably use external hard drives to expand PS4 capacity. Although PS3 allowed users to open the chassis and replace the hard drive, many will likely prefer the simplicity of plugging in a USB 3.0 hard drive instead.
In addition, USB 3.0 can transfer up to 80% more power, which will be especially helpful in charging any USB-powered accessories. Recharging a DualShock controller, for example, should be a far more speedy affair.Recharging PS4 controllers should take far less timeWireless N
Although every PS3 includes wi-fi built-in, it is notoriously slow. Try plugging in your PS3 directly, and you'll see download speeds more than double. Sony's upgraded the network support in PS4 by providing a card that not only supports the 802.11 b and g standards, but the new n standard as well. This should result in significantly greater speed and range for those that opt to use PS4 wirelessly.Bluetooth 2.1
PS4 includes support for Bluetooth 2.1. While a miniscule numeric jump from PS3's support for 2.0, the improved functionality should make it much easier to pair devices with the PS4. Crucially, the 2.1 standard allows devices to pair via NFC. Sony's "one touch sharing" feature was a big talking point during the company's CES keynote, and it would be incredibly surprising if similar functionality wasn't included in PS4.DualShock 4
Sony's upgraded DualShock is loaded with added functionality, from a touch pad to PlayStation Move-inspired motion controls. DualShock 4 will likely consume far more power than its predecessors--but the controller has a heftier battery to help compensate. DS4 features more than 60% greater battery capacity than DS3, but weighs only 0.6 ounces more. While initial prototypes of the controller appeared bulky, it appears holding the DS4 will not be unlike using a DS3.Here's another picture of DualShock 4, because we don't know what the PS4 looks like
With PS4 incorporating many of the tech advances that have occurred since the launch of PS3, using Sony's next home console should be far easier, and far more connected. Of course, many questions still remain regarding the hardware. For example, how many USB ports will there be (and will any be located behind the system)? Will the box still include composite cables instead of HDMI? And most crucially, how much will this all cost?

Yeah I'm not keen on the touch pad thing either and unless it is mandatory to use in games I'll probably never touch it. I also hope it is not mandatory in games. Rather just play games the normal way.

it could be for anything. They could use it in FPS multiplayer games for your mic. Tap it once activates your mic, tapping it again deactivates the mic. This would be nice because you wouldn't hear random coughing through the mic which I hear all the time on BF3.

You know we don't know if the DS4 actually has a Mini USB 3.0 port (I'm guessing not since every USB 3.0 B plug looked like some aweful welded on expansion ) Then again I haven't been keeping up with it's progress so whatdaIknow

Actually i am a bit disappointed with the lack of touch screen, i don't know what kinda purpose a touch pad will serve, just some stupid gestures.

I'm exceptionally glad it's not a touch screen. The pad itself I don't really care about but bare in mind it's also going to be clickable so is basically an extra button. I guess it will probably serve as 'select'.

I was kinda hoping they would add more buttons in general, sometimes you really feel like you need a few more. And with a bigger controller there's extra space to work with. Oh well

I'm exceptionally glad it's not a touch screen. The pad itself I don't really care about but bare in mind it's also going to be clickable so is basically an extra button. I guess it will probably serve as 'select'.

I was kinda hoping they would add more buttons in general, sometimes you really feel like you need a few more. And with a bigger controller there's extra space to work with. Oh well

I think it should have been on the bottom (and I was personally an advocate for an actual touch screen as well but this seems like it'll do)

Actually i am a bit disappointed with the lack of touch screen, i don't know what kinda purpose a touch pad will serve, just some stupid gestures.

If they can have some kind of creative application then great. One way I think we might see it used, for example, is trick moves in Fifa.

As long as they can find some cool ways to incorporate it. The Move part of the controller I don't see doing anything. They never peaked my interest with any uses of Sixaxis, and this is basically Sixaxis 2.0

I still don't know what USB 3.0 is going to do for consoles. I know transfer rates will be faster for flash drives and what not but what other advantages are there?

USB 3.0 puts out more milliamps (900 versus usb 2.0 500) so it will charge devices a bit faster.
It's a nice touch. My pc has 3.0 and I use it to charge my (non i)phone and it's fairly noticeable. Also got that nifty feature where I can turn my PC off and it continues to charge my devices...hopefully the PS4 brings the same.

USB 3.0 puts out more milliamps (900 versus usb 2.0 500) so it will charge devices a bit faster.
It's a nice touch. My pc has 3.0 and I use it to charge my (non i)phone and it's fairly noticeable. Also got that nifty feature where I can turn my PC off and it continues to charge my devices...hopefully the PS4 brings the same.

I have 3.0 on my PC as well. I did notice the transfer rate is faster. I transferred my entire steam library in less than an hour. It was like 200gb. My External HDD is fairly slow too.

I don't get why they are keeping support for wireless b. Seriously, who uses that any more? What devices still support that?
A friend of mine told me that his old PSP possibly supported b only, but why would anyone want to connect PSP with PS4?

I don't get why they are keeping support for wireless b. Seriously, who uses that any more? What devices still support that?
A friend of mine told me that his old PSP possibly supported b only, but why would anyone want to connect PSP with PS4?

They have little control over it its the manufacturer of the cards I think all cards still support it case of bacwards compatability much like SATA 2 drives work on SATA 1 controllers and vice versa.

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